SANTA CLARA, California — Drake Maye didn’t pick and choose.
After a rough performance in the Patriots’ 29-13 loss to the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, he wanted a full rewind.
“What would I like to have back? I’d like to go back to the beginning and redo it,” he said. “There’s so many plays that changed the game.”
The reality of what the Patriots achieved this season, what they didn’t accomplish Sunday and the fact that it was all abruptly over hit him in waves. Regret, frustration, disappointment, sadness and even a little pride. As he sat at his post-Super Bowl press conference podium, all of those emotions came through in his answers. He even choked up a little talking about his teammates, knowing that some of them won’t be back next year.
Maye took a massive step from Year 1 to Year 2, a leap that took him from a promising talent to an MVP candidate as the Patriots evolved into the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
But he wasn’t the same guy in the postseason. He injured his shoulder against Denver, but he looked like he might have been battling something even before that.
Maye wasn’t good Sunday, and he knew it. Whether it was his shoulder, his inexperience, his overmatched offensive line or just a superior opponent, Maye struggled.
He was intercepted twice and sacked six times. Not only could he not get the offense into the end zone when the game was still close, but he couldn’t keep it on the field long enough to give the defense a breather.
Especially early.
“There were so many plays in the first half I could have made a better throw or made a better decision,” he said. “It comes down to who makes the plays and who doesn’t. They made the plays tonight.”
Maye made plays all year and was worthy of all the praise he earned. He’s been one of the best 23-year-old quarterbacks the league has ever seen. But he was deserving of the criticism he got for Sunday’s struggles, too.
It’s what’s next that matters now.
How big a step does Maye have in him for Year 3? That will define his next chapter and maybe the rest of his career.
“He’s 23 years old,” Stefon Diggs said. “It’s hard playing quarterback. I’m super proud of him.”
Center Garrett Bradbury thought Sunday’s frustration would fuel Maye going forward.
“Drake is the face of the franchise. The leader of this team. He’s a warrior,” he said. “This whole locker room knows that. I’m proud as hell to be his teammate.”
Getting back to the Super Bowl will be harder. NFL history is loaded with really good quarterbacks who lost their first trip to the Super Bowl and never returned.
Nobody mentions that Mark Clayton and Mark Duper never won rings, but that fact forever clouds Dan Marino’s legacy.
Struggling in the Super Bowl can stick to a guy. Cam Newton, Donovan McNabb, Matt Ryan, Jim Kelly and Jimmy Garoppolo are all remembered for the big game failure more than their otherwise solid careers.
Succeeding again will be harder next season. The schedule will be tougher and the Patriots won’t be sneaking up on anyone. Rediscovering the discipline to start over and repeat all the necessary little steps to build is challenging.
Mike Vrabel wasn’t worried about Maye.
“I’m sure he’s over there talking about all the things he has to do to improve and what he could’ve done better,” Vrabel said. “I care deeply about him … Drake’s a big reason why we’re here. I can’t wait to get back and coach him again.”
Maye said he’ll be eager to start that journey when the time comes too, but for now, it’s going to hurt.
“There are plays I’ll think about for the next seven months. It’s going to hurt and sting for a while. That’s what you sign up for. That’s what you get,” he said. “That’s what fuels you. That’s the biggest thing about life. That’s how you bounce back. I’d go to war with these guys any time.”
Story by Matt Vautour, MassLive.com.
